Hughes delivers for Monaghan

Monaghan 1-8 Tyrone 0-8:In another epic encounter between the sides, Monaghan and Tyrone clashed in the 1985 NFL semi-final. Neither had ever been in a league final, and after a drawn encounter at Croke Park (which with Down versus Armagh was the first time all four semi-finalists came from Ulster) the replay was fixed for the following weekend in Armagh.

TEN MINUTES of inspirational football by former All Star Eugene Hughes lifted Monaghan into their first NFL final, where they play Armagh next Sunday, when they produced a storming finish at the Athletic Grounds yesterday.

The craft and skill of Hughes was absent from the game throughout normal time, but a shrewd decision to rest the veteran wing forward during the first period of extra time reaped rich dividends.

Hughes turned in a brilliant performance in the closing 15 minutes, the game blossomed into a nerve-tingling finish and five points during that time gave Monaghan victory.

A stiff breeze made life difficult for both teams throughout this replay, in which Monaghan notched 24 wides over the 90 minutes and Tyrone just 11. In the opening half, Tyrone controlled the proceedings, playing with determination and showing glimpses of their better qualities, to set up a 0-4 to 0-1 interval lead.

In the second half, Monaghan produced a much more aggressive approach and, after 17 minutes, Michael Caulfield found the net to put his side in front for the first time. With just three minutes remaining. Declan Muldoon equalised for Tyrone to put the match into extra time .

Tyrone controlled the first period and led 0-7 to 1-3 at the break. During that period Monaghan were reduced to 14 men when their goalscorer, Caulfield, was sent off.

In the second period, Monaghan dominated and even the introduction of Tyrone All Star Eugene McKenna, making his first appearance since December, could not halt a confident Monaghan from gaining a final place.

MONAGHAN: P Lydon; B Murray, G McCarville, F Caulfield; G Hoey, K Murray, D Flanagan; H Clerkin (0-1), D Byrne; M Caulfield (1-0), E Hughes (0-1), B Murray (0-2); R Carron (0-2). E Murphy, E McEneaney.

TYRONE: A Skelton; M O'Neill, C McGarvey, J Mallon (0-1); K McCabe, N McGinn, J Lynch; P Donaghy (0-1), M McClure; D Muldoon (0-2). D O'Hagan (0-1), S Donnelly (0-l); S Coney (0-1), A Hamilton (0-1), C Mulholland.

Referee. P Collins(Westmeath).